Comparison · executive cars

BMW 3 Series vs Jaguar XE: which is more reliable?

The BMW 3 Series does better at the MOT, with a score of 110 against 103 for the Jaguar XE, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 523,237 real MOT tests in 2024.

BMW 3 Series

110Well above average
MOT tests479,358

Jaguar XE

103Above average
MOT tests43,879

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at testBMW 3 SeriesJaguar XE
3–5 years
100About average
97Below average
6–9 years
108Above average
104Above average
10–14 years
110Well above average
–
15+ years
115Well above average
–

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearBMW 3 SeriesJaguar XE
202185.0%81.7%
202086.0%84.1%
201986.9%83.6%
201886.5%82.1%
201785.2%82.1%
201683.6%79.6%
201581.1%78.7%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaBMW 3 SeriesJaguar XE
Lights & electrics11.85.4
Tyres8.68.1
Brakes9.05.3
Suspension8.22.1
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.63.2
Emissions & leaks3.61.9
Body & chassis1.40.4
Seat belts & airbags1.10.7

BMW 3 Series: top failures

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.6%
  2. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.4%
  3. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.8%
  4. Position lamp: not working1.7%
  5. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.5%
  6. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.3%

Jaguar XE: top failures

  1. Stop lamp: not working2.5%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.4%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.1%
  4. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.1%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.4%
  6. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.3%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the BMW 3 Series or the Jaguar XE?

The BMW 3 Series does better at the MOT, with a score of 110 against 103 for the Jaguar XE, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the BMW 3 Series and Jaguar XE can be compared?

Both were tested for 7 registration years (2015–2021). The BMW 3 Series had the higher pass rate in 7 of them and the Jaguar XE in 0.

What fails most on each?

BMW 3 Series: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak. Jaguar XE: stop lamp: not working; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm.